察察為明

察察为明
chácháwéimíng
keenly observant of trivial details

CEDICT

to think one is discerning and shrewd for focusing on minutiae, but neglecting the bigger picture

Wiktionary

專就小處詳察，自以為精明。《二十年目睹之怪現狀．第七八回》：「恰好遇了一位兩江總督，最是以察察為明的。」也作「察察而明」。

重編國語辭典

於細枝末節處用心探查，而自以為精明

維基詞典

Entry Composition

1 察察 cháchá
  1. clean
  2. spotless
2 為 wéi
  1. as (in the capacity of)
  2. to take sth as
  3. to act as
  4. to serve as
  5. to behave as
  6. to become
  7. to be
  8. to do
  9. by (in the passive voice)
3 明 míng
  1. bright
  2. opposite: dark 暗 àn
  3. (of meaning) clear
  4. to understand
  5. next
  6. public or open
  7. wise
  8. generic term for a sacrifice to the gods